Idol Recap: Ellen Judges Her First Live Show

Ellen DeGeneres sat at the opposite end of the judges’ table from Simon Cowell last night, as she judged the Top 12 girls competing for the public vote on the first live American Idol of the season.

Ellen and Simon sat on either side of the table with Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi in the middle, and the talk show host was quick to make light of their seating arrangements, reports Access Hollywood.

“We had a little problem and I felt like it’s safer over here,” Ellen told host Ryan Seacrest of her seat next to Randy. “The problem is, Simon wants me and he’s got a thing for me and I get it Simon. I get it, and it’s not going to happen.”

Despite her jokes about Simon, she and the brusque music mogul agreed on many of the performances including the white-haired Lilly Scott.

Janell Wheeler, 24, from Orlando, Fla., went ’80s with Heart’s “What About Love?” making Kara describe it as “way too big” for the pretty blonde.

Lilly Scott, 20, Littleton, Colo., sang The Beatles’ classic “Fixing A Hole,” which impressed Simon. “[You’re] definitely the best we’ve had so far,” he said. He added, however, he wasn’t “feeling much star power” from the singer.

Kaetlyn Epperly, 19, from West Des Moines, IA, also opted for a Beatles number – “Oh Darling”, intrigued Simon. “There’s something about you,” he said. “You’re kind of quirky, interesting… But you’re gonna need an awful lot of work.”

Haeley Vaughn, 16, from Fort Collins, Colo., performed a rendition of “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” that missed its mark. “It was verging on terrible,” Simon said. “You were like a wind-up doll that never stopped smiling through the song. It was just, for me, a complete and utter mess.”

Lacey Brown, 24, from Amarillo, Texas, the contender who missed out on Idol’s Season 8 by one place last year, covered Stevie Nicks classic “Landslide.” “I thought that was terrible,” Randy commented. “I thought that was pitchy all over the place.”

Michelle Delamor, 22, from Miami, Fla., wowed Ellen with her version of Alicia Keys’ “Fallin’”. “That was fantastic!” Ellen said. “I feel like the only thing I would say for you, and this is a compliment, is that was safe.”

Didi Benami, 23, formerly of Tennessee, now of Hollywood, Calif., went too low key with “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson”. “What I’m missing here is a spark,” Simon said.

Siobhan Magnus, 19, from Barnstable, Mass., interpreted Chris Isaak‘s “Wicked Game”. “I loved it,” Ellen said. “For a minute, I forgot we were in a singing competition and I was just being entertained.”

Finally, Katie Stevens, 17, from Middlebury, Conn., was told her look was “pageanty” by Simon after her version of Michael Bublé’s “Feeling Good”. “It was like your mum and dad had dressed you and given you the song,” Simon said.